Literary Recognition: Malaysia’s late Dr Abdul Rahman Napiah, pen name Mana Sikana, was posthumously named the country’s 16th National Laureate, with his widow Salmah Ali calling it a long-awaited honour for a writer who also shaped TV and radio drama and academic literary discourse. Regional Diplomacy: Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing received a red-carpet welcome in Thailand on his first official visit since the 2021 coup, as Bangkok pushes “calibrated reengagement” tied to ASEAN peace efforts. Crypto & Tech Culture: TOKEN2049 returns to Marina Bay Sands on 7–8 Oct with 25,000 attendees and 1,000 side events, while a separate commentary declares “The Blockchain Fantasy is Dying,” signalling a cultural backlash against hype. Youth Sport & Exchange: SIYBO 2026 comes back to Singapore (14–16 Aug) with 50 teams from 10 countries/regions for basketball, cultural exchange and friendship. Aviation & Lifestyle: Air India appoints former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as new CEO as the airline faces losses and safety scrutiny. Harmony & Online Speech: A 27-year-old man linked to insulting remarks about Muslims in Singapore will be charged, with police also investigating a separate Quran-stepping video case. Women Building with AI: Coding Lady 2026 in Beijing drew 900+ women and 162 teams, culminating in Demo Day finals. Local Retail Culture: Popular Bookstore will close its VivoCity and Jurong Point outlets, with a new Hougang Mall store opening in Sept.